The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was established in 1990 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among U.S. high school students. These behaviors include behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; sexual behaviors that contribute to unitended pregnancy and sexually-transmiteed diseases (STDs), including HIV infection; alcohol and drug use; tobacco use; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and inadequate physical activity. YRBS also measures the prevalence of obesity among youth and young adults.

The Delaware YRBS is a biennial survey conducted in odd-numbered years by randomly selecting high school students in grades 9 to 12. The Delaware YRBS helps monitor the prevalence of behaviors that influence the health of Delaware youth and puts them at risk for developing behaviors tied to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems. The survey is voluntary and participating students remain anonymous. Delaware’s YRBS is administered (or conducted) by the University of Delaware Center for Drug and Health Studies.

What is the purpose of Delaware YRBS?
The Delaware YRBS is designed to:

• Describe the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among youths.
• Assess trends in health-risk behaviors over time.
• Examine the co-occurrence of health behaviors. 
• Provide comparable national, state, and terriotrial data.
• Provide comparable data among subpopulations of youth (e.g., racial/ethnic subgroups).
• Monitor progress toward achieving Federal Healthy People objectives and other program indicators.
   

Why do we need YRBS?

YRBS helps to:

• Monitor changes over time.
• Identify emerging issues.
• Plan and evaluate programs to support the health of youth.

YRBS data are used by:

• Health departments
• Educators
• Lawmakers
• Doctors
• Community organizations.